Granule distributing apparatus

ABSTRACT

Granule distributing apparatus comprises a container ( 1 ) having a discharge opening ( 3 ) for a product to be distributed and a duct member ( 6 ) connected to the discharge opening provides a distribution chamber ( 64 ) for the product. The duct member ( 6 ) is foldable between working and storage positions. In the working position it projects away from the container ( 1 ) and allows products to pass through the discharge opening ( 3 ) and along the distribution channel ( 64 ). In its storage position the duct member ( 6 ) obturates the discharge opening ( 3 ) and extends over the top of the container. A locking member ( 5 ) is preferably provided which is manipulatable to locate the duct member ( 6 ) in the working position and also serves to close an entry end of the distribution channel ( 64 ) when the duct member is in the storage position.

This invention relates to granule distributing apparatus.

Such apparatus is useful, amongst other purposes, for distributinggranular product such as a combined lawn fertiliser and broadleafherbicide.

Various kinds of apparatus are available for the distribution ofgranular products, for example that described in European PatentApplication No. EP A 0 903 300. In that application is described acontainer having a threaded discharge into which is screwed a ringmember which retains a telescopic duct member having a spreaderconfiguration at its end. The ring member may be loosened so that thetelescopic duct member can be rotated between a storage position whereit may extend in a collapsed condition across the top of the containerand a working position in which it is telescopically extended andprojects away from the top of the container. A detachable cap isprovided to cover the duct member in that the storage condition.

We have found that there are several problems inherent in this design.Since the cap member is separate, we have found that it can become lost.Further, in use the apparatus is swung from side to side in order todistribute the granules, and this can impose a torque on the spreadingduct which can in turn lead to a loosening of the ring member so thatthe duct falls off and the granules are spilled.

It is an object of the present invention to provide granule distributingapparatus in which these disadvantages are alleviated.

According to the present invention there is provided granuledistributing apparatus which comprises a container having a dischargeopening for a product to be distributed and a duct member connected tothe discharge opening and providing a distribution channel for theproduct, wherein the duct member is foldable between a working positionin which it projects away from the container and allows passage ofproduct through the discharge opening and along the distributionchannel, and a storage position in which the duct member obturates thedischarge opening and extends over the top of the container.

Preferably a locking member is provided which is manipulatable to locatethe duct member in the working position and prevent relative releasingmovement between the duct connector and container. The locking membermay also serve to close an entry end of the distribution channel whenthe duct member is in the storage position.

Ruffle means may be provided at a discharge end of the distributionchannel to urge the granular product to scatter as it is discharged fromthe channel.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way ofexample only, and with reference to the accompanying diagrammaticdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a granule distributing apparatus ina storage configuration;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the granule distributing apparatusin a working configuration;

FIG. 3 is a further cross-sectional view of the granule distributingapparatus in an intermediate configuration;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the apparatus;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a duct member;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of a duct connector; and

FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of a locking member.

In the drawings, a container generally indicated at 1 has a hollowhandle portion 2 and a discharge opening 3 by way of which the containeris also charged. The duct connector 4 is attached over the dischargeopening 3 and in turn carries a front locking member 5 and a duct member6.

The duct connector 4 attaches to the container 1 over the dischargeopening 3 by a twist locking mechanism rather than a screw thread. Wehave found that in practice, this permits the discharge opening 3 to bemade larger, and this is an aid to filling.

The front locking member 5 is attached to the duct connector 4 by a pairof co-axial studs 51 (FIG. 7) mounted on legs 52 carried at the sides ofthe locking member 5. These studs engage as a snap fit into stirrupmountings 41 (FIG. 6) on the duct connector 4. The locking member 5 isable to be manipulated angularly about the axis of the studs 51 and alsocarries a locking stirrup 53 which is pivotable by the angular movementof the locking member into engagement with a co-operating locking boss11 (FIGS. 1 to 3) formed on the container 1. This prevents relativerotation between the container 1 and the duct connector 4 when the ductmember is in the working configuration, with the result that the ductconnector cannot work loose.

The duct member 6 is pivotally attached to the connector 4 by a pair ofstuds 61, FIG. 5, carried by wings 62, which snap fit into bearings 42,FIG. 6, in the connector 4. The duct member 6 is thus able to foldbetween the working configuration shown in FIG. 2 in which it extendsaway from the container over the locking member and the storageconfiguration shown in FIG. 1 in which it extends over and substantiallyparallel to the top of the container.

The duct connector 4 includes an opening 43, FIG. 6, in communicationwith the discharge opening 3 of the container 1. The duct connectoropening 43 is surrounded by an upstanding rectangularly extending wall44 having opposed sides with arcuate tops 45 which are concentric withthe pivot axis of the bearings 42. The duct member 6 is configured sothat its inner end rides against the top of that wall 44 to enable anopen entry end 63 of a tubular distribution channel 64 of the ductmember to be brought into communication with the opening 43, and thusthe discharge opening 3 of the container 1, when the duct member is inthe working configuration in order to distribute the contents of thecontainer. Also, a portion 65 of the wall of the channel 64 is arrangedto close off the top of the wall 44 when the duct member is in thestorage configuration.

The tubular distribution channel 64 of the duct member has a centralbaffle 86 at its opposite discharge end 67 so that granular materialbeing discharged is urged to scatter.

Curved side walls 68, formed integrally with the duct member parallel toand spaced from opposite longitudinal sides of the distribution channel64, spread arcuately away from the distribution channel and arestrengthened by stiffening fins 69, FIG. 5, at their inside concavesurfaces 70. Outer free edges 71 of the side walls 68 seat on top of thecontainer, substantially in line with side walls of the container, whenthe duct member is in the storage position.

The stiffening fins 69 and the general design of the duct member givesubstantial vertical load strength to the duct member. The ductconnector 4 is externally shaped to complement the external shape of theduct member when the latter is in the storage position.

When the duct member is in the storage position the locking member isflipped angularly to release the locking stirrup 53 from the lockingboss 11 on the container and close the locking member over the adjacententry end 63 of the distribution channel 64, as shown in FIG. 1.

When in the storage configuration shown in FIG. 1, the locking member 5and the duct member 6 together with the duct connector 4 serve to form acomposite cap covering the top of the container, and they are designedto shed water to prevent the ingress of rain should the container beleft out of doors.

1. Granule distributing apparatus comprising: a container having adischarge opening for a product to be distributed; a duct connectorattached to said container over said discharge opening; a duct membercarried by the duct connector and connected to said discharge opening,said duct member providing a distribution channel for said product, saidduct member being foldable between a working position in which said ductmember projects away from said container and allows passage of productthrough said discharge opening and along said distribution channel, anda storage position in which said duct member obturates said dischargeopening and extends over a top of said container; and a locking memberthat is manipulatable to locate said duct member in said workingposition and prevent relative releasing movement between said ductconnector and container; wherein said locking member and said ductmember together with said duct connector serve to form a composite capcovering a top of said container when said duct member is in saidstorage position, and said locking and duct members and said ductconnector are designed to shed water from said container when they formsaid composite cap.
 2. Granule distributing apparatus according to claim1, wherein ruffle means is provided at a discharge end of saiddistribution channel to urge product to scatter as it is discharged fromsaid channel.
 3. Granule distributing apparatus according to claim 1,wherein said duct connector attaches to said container over saiddischarge opening by a twist locking mechanism.
 4. Granule distributingapparatus according to claim 1, wherein said duct connector has anopening surrounded by an upstanding wall, and said duct member isconfigured so that an inner end rides against a top of said upstandingwall to enable an entry end of said distribution channel of said ductmember to be brought into communication with said opening, and thus saiddischarge opening of said container, when said duct member is in saidworking position.
 5. Granule distributing apparatus according to claim1, wherein said locking member also serves to close an entry end of saiddistribution channel when said duct member is in said storage position.6. Granule distributing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein saidlocking member is carried by said duct connector.
 7. Granuledistributing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said locking memberis manipulatable angularly relative to said duct connector to locatesaid duct member in said working position.
 8. Granule distributingapparatus according to claim 7, wherein said locking member is pivotallyattached to said duct connector for said angular manipulation by snapfit engagement of a pair of co-axial studs with stirrup mountings. 9.Granule distributing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein saidlocking member and container have co-operable locking parts which arebrought into engagement by said angular manipulation of said lockingmember to prevent relative rotation between said container and the ductconnector when the duct member is in said working position.
 10. Granuledistributing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said duct member ispivotally attached to said duct connector so that said duct member isfoldable between said working position and said storage position. 11.Granule distributing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when insaid storage position said duct member extends over and substantiallyparallel to a top of said container.
 12. Granule distributing apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein said distribution channel is tubular.